Vehicle bumper



My s, y1923.

J. A. @lowcos- VEHICLE BUMPER 3 Sheets-Shee-. 1

Filed July 2s 1.922"

ay 8, 1923. 1,454,133 y.1. A. NoMlcos VEHICLE BUMPER Filed July 2s, 1922 3 sheets-shew.;

May s, 1923- 1,454,133

J. A. NoMlcols VEHICLE BUMPER Filed .July 28 1922 s Sheets-sheet intein onerosa JAIVIES NOMICOS, UF CHICAGO, ILLINOS.

' VEHICLE Beieren.

emiliani@Y inea July 2s,

To cZZ whom t concern: l

Be it known that I, JAMES.' A; NoMIcos, a' citizen of the United States, and a resi dent of the city of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Vehicle. Bumpers, of which the foliowing is a speci- `ication.

My invention relates to new and usefulv provide shock absorbing means cooperating l' rubber composition, betweenvthe apparatus with each other, the lone first receiving the shock or impact being so constructed as to withstand minor shocks, that is, shocks which do not` have great lforce, without bringing into action the other of theV shock absorbers.` The shock absorber which first receives the impact i comprises membersl semi-eiliptical in sliape,mounted in a horizontal plane, in such a manner as to deflect the object causing the impact and which are arranged to protect the bumperv bars of the i apparatus. it is also the object of my invention to provide additional means for deadening the shock, at the time received by the shock absorbers, without transmitting the complete shoclr over the entire vehicle, and in this respect, 'i providecushions of and the means for mounting-'the apparatus in position.

A further contemplation ofthe invention .is to provide a bumper oi the' character and 'for the purposes stated, yone which, when mounted, is capable ofv vertical movement. In this connection i' have provided a bumper which is suiciently large to perform yits respective functions, and it being' capable of vertical movement, can be swung 1nv an upwardly direction, in an out-o'f-way position. In my experience I have often found that in private garages or public. garages,

fsm due to the bumpers of the machine, the vehicie. is too large to occupy the ordinary 'ma smal No. 5,713,083.

space required fora vehicle and being able to move the bumper in'an'upwardly direction, in an out-0fway place, there .is very little additional -spa'ce taken up when I nyimprovedbumper is associated withfa vehicle.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described andiclaimed.

The invention will be best understood by lreference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and 1n which, i,

Fig, 1 is a top plan view of a bumper embodying the invention,

Fig. 2 is an elevational view 'of the same,

Fig. '3 is a sectional detail. view, of lthe same,'taken substantially Online 3--3 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 1s a sectional detail view, of the same, taken s ubstantiaily'on line 4-4 of Eiga',`

Fig. 5 is a fragmentarysectional detail view, of the same, taken substantially on.

line 5 5 ofFig. f1,

Fig. 6 Ais a detailv view taken substantially on line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a detail view, of the same, taken substantially on line 7-.-7 of Fig. 3, '4

. Fig. 8 isa detail view ofa modied form for mounting the Vbumper illustrated in Fig. 1L, in position on a vehicle and, i Fig. 9 is a detail view taken substantially online 9-5-9 of Fig'. S. in carrying these objects enumerated above, and other objects 'which will b'e disclosed as the description of my invention 'is unfoided, into effect, the preferred form which in this instance.v are tubu er in form and have their oppositeends bent inwardly toward `the vehicle with which my apparatus is used, theends ofthe rod members being provided with suitabie'caps l2 as iilustrated. They bumper bars 11 are arranged in parallel and spacedl relation with respect of', construction comprises bumper, bars 1 1 to' each other and carried and held in' spaced relation by oppositell disp sedl columns 13 and le, each of w ich c mprises symmetrical parts A and B, as shown in Associated with the rcohunns 13 anV terial, having their end portions `ixed tothe 'curved portions,y indicated Iat 15', Fig. 3,

extending outwardly from the bars 11. The bolts 16 serveto hold the rodsg11 between vthe parts of the columns laiid'serve to clamp the symmetrical parts of thecolumns to-f j gethe The construction lthus fardisclosed constitutes one of the shock absorbers embodyf ap'paratus on the chassis has already been 'alluded to in setting forth the objects of the ing the invention and Which-has' been .already referred to in setting forth the objects of the-iniention.- It willbe noticed by this construction that the semi-elliptical springsv 15 are the first to come in contact ivithan object about to collide with a vehicle and the formation of the' spring'A members are l "such that beingellipticalhin'shape they will serve -as defiectors. that is to say, causing l 3G-'passes through a slot 38. formed in thethe object coming' .into contact `with them toA be deflected to one side thus diminishing the force Aof' the contact.

The columns 13 and 1st-are preferably hollow to lessen the weight ofi-thc apparatus fand-the openends of the columns are closed by caps l7 of -su'itableornamental construc-v tion.

This portion ofithe;al'fiparatus, which I vprefer to term the primary shock absorbers., is carried by a second set of yshoclrresistersi which in this 4.instance comprises .ellipticalspring memberslS and 19 and detachably secured thereto by U.-bolts 20, embracingA the columns 13 and 14 and carrying star'shaped plates 21 held in' elampingengagement with the adjacent inner leaves of the springs 18 and 19 by suitable nuts 22. The leavescom- Y. prising the elliptical springs 18i and19-areheld in proper position"by suitable bolts 23 f screw threadedinto spacers 24. as illustrated 40.

in Fig. 3. The spacer blocks 25 ofithLe elliptical -springs 18 and '1'9are provided-with recesses. 26 having Acurved walls. as illustrated in Fig. 5,- for the reception of the.

ends 27, of theinner leaves the elliptical springs which arebent around bolt members 28. The purpose ofthe recessesf`26, havingl curved Walls,v as iillustrated, is s uch that' when the semi-elliptical spring members eol- A- l 4lideivith an objectand the elliptical springs arecoi'npressed the-ends will be permitted to A oseillate in the recesses, preventingr the destruction of the connections of the semiparts 'of the elliptical springrsflS and 19.'

As Vshown in Figs. 2 and 3,-lamps 29. ofv suitable c onstrulctionare carried by'the spacer blocks 25,`said lamps beingV of ornamental character'toincrease the :estheticap--.

pearance of the bumper. The elliptical `springs 18 and .19* are 'attached to the chassis of a vehicle with which the device -is used in the followiner manner.:

In thepreferred formflzdctachably secure` to each ofthe side; bars of the chassis 30. by means of suitable bolts 31, a clamp 32 pivot- .ally connected tota plate' as at 34, hailiing a contour substantiallyisimilar to that of` theside bai' of the .Chassis to ivhichthe clamp is attached. The Vplate 33 is: detachably. 'secured to' the ad] acent elliptical spring by means, of U-bolts 35, which embrace the invention andfit' need only'he brought out .at this 'ti'me that by such construction the 'A utility of the bumper is greatly increased. Means is provided for rigidly holding the appara-tus in -position,`this l'means -comprises plate 32, as at 37. The'outer end of thebolt plate 33' at 'its lower x end thereof. The

'a bolt 3 6 iv-hich is fixed .pern'ianently to. the i bumper is held in the desired angular position by adjustablenuts 39 which are screw.' threaded on the bolt 36. as illustrated in" Fig. 3. 'Willen it ,isldesired to move the appa-L ratus in an upwardly direction, by loosening the huts 39 the bolt can be brought ou-tof engagement -With the slot by the upward movement of the apparatus.A The apparatus in its'extreme upward position Will remain" in such position of its ovvn accord due to the fact-that the ive-ightof the bumper as a whole bears behindv its pivotal' axis; ln

mounting the invention inthe position'illusl trated,l in Figi: 2. l employ two such plates 32. and their respective parts, whichas stated, are detachably secured tojthe side framebars of the chassis 30..

the obiects ofthe invention,-m`eans is provided for deadenmg,r the shock and preventin ithe transmission of minor or Weak shocks over'. the entire bod;1 of thevehicle. This means comprises rectangularly shaped-pads or cushions-10. preferably of a rubbercomposition or other compressible 'material interposed between theplates '33 and spacer chassis for `the passageof the bolts by the's'i-mpl'eiconstruetion, as\illustrated inthe 'modified form. he can mount the. apparatuswithout unnecessary labor or Without damaging thechassis.' In this connection provide cap members 42 having contours similar to that; of the chassis andIliaying integral Othread bearing finders 43 which are adapted and As alluded tou-at the time of' pointingr out A.

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to pass. through plate' members 4T-i when the i cap is inountcd to'embraee the chassis 3 0, in

v.the position illustrated in hier. rThe capsare plvotally connected to plates 45 similar .to thai plategiieinbersv 33. rihe apparatus .is

v the shock before ransxnitied lo vil() valso capable of being sdjusied-and also being capable of vertical movement in ehe modified `form of atachrneni; as Well 1e referred form or" construct-ion. Y

Reerrln affairs. to ine snoclr absorbers i8 gmk l. ,1 and 19 1t will be noticed anar roe same are capable, due o their location, of diminishingihe' shock before transnnered' from the J v k f. a l snoeiA absorbers .lo to ece chassis, great y v.relieving the force or the ebook lzronsrnlied io she vehicle proper.

ABy referring so ine drawings, 1a willbe Aseen that my invention is not only designed from an ornamental sband'ioin, bui: is designed especially i'or utility and performsy :in unusual function which the bumpers of his characrer, that are now in market do not perform, thas is, iinishing die vehicle proper.

While l have illustrated and described the preferred form of construcl'ion for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification 1evihoui depa'rb` ing from the spiriJ of the invention.

precise details of construction ser forth, bui: desire io avail myself of such variafions and mod-ii'icaions as come Wiihin the scope of the appended claims. Having described my inveo'ion, what i' claim as new and desire to secure by Le Jners Patent is;

l. A bumper of the class described including bumper bars, means carryingy said bumper .bars for cusliioning` the resisl'snce thereof, and means for aaching said re sisance means to-'the chassis of a vehicle, and attaching means includini ilare mem` said attaching means.

' 3. A bumper of: the class described including shock absorbing means, means for ai;- taciiing said. shock aliisorbing means lo she chassis of a vehicle, said means including' plaes fixed to said chassis and piv-olaiiy con? neored to plates carrying saidshocr absorbing means, and lock members carried by the plates fixed ro said chassis for engragen'ient Wi'tiislots formed in *bhs-plates carrying said.

absorbingP moans.

iglesias sr l. therefore, do nos Wish, to be iimied ro tbe* 4l. A bumper of the class described in-4 cluding shock absorbingl means, means for attaching said shock absorbing means to the chassisnrc a, vehicle, said means including plates fixed to said chassis and pivotallyconnected to plates carrying said shock absorbing means, lock members carried by the plates vfixed 'to said chassis iorl engagement with slois formed, in the plates carrying said absorbing means, and shock absorbing cushions between-said attaching means and said absorbing lmeans.

5. A bumper (of the class described including oppositely disposed hollow columns, caps closing the open ends of said columns, bumper bars carried by' said columns inv parallel and spa-ced relation with respect toeach other and having their opposite ends warned inwardly, shock absorbing means car ried on the' face of said columns opposite said bumper bars, shock absorbing means at the rear of said columns, means for attaching said second named absorbing means to lhechassis of a vehicle, said means comprisplate lmembers pivotally connected t0- gether and lock members for permitting adjustmen thereof.

`6. A bumper oi the class described in? cludiugr opposirely disposed b llow columns, closing he open ends of said columns, bumper bars'carried by said columns in parallel andV spaced relacion 'with respecttov each' orber andhaving iheir Aopposiee `ends turned inwardly, shock absorbing means carried on the face of said columns opposite said. bumper bars 'between the inwardly urned ends thereof, shock rdisorbing;r means at the. rear or" said columnsymeans forat-` taching said second named absorbing means' to the chassis oi a vel-i'icie, said means comprising1 piatepmeinbers pivotally conneced ogether-and/lbck members for permitting adjusimen; thereof, and shock absorbing cushionsbefween said attaching means and said scconcbv named shock absorbing means.A

7. ln combinaion with the chassis off-a vehicle of opposi'tely disposed shock resistingmembers, pivotally carried by said chassis g. means for permiltingr adjustment of Said shock resisiingr members; tubular columns carried b said 'sting members; bumper bars carried by said colinnns in parallel and si :ced relation with respect lo each other; and semi-ellip'ical shock resisiug members carried by said columns Aih parallel and spaced relation with respect bo each other, said first named resisting members being, adapted to diminisii the shock transmitted by said semi-elliptical resisting members izo said chassis.

'8. A vehicle bumper comprisingin combination Withthe chassis of a Vehicle of plates debacha'bly carried by the side frame members or said chassis; plate members pivotaliy conneced ro said frs-.5 named plate mein A bers; adjustable meansv for securing `said second-named vplate members against pivotal movement; elliptical .spring members. de tachablygsecured to saidsecond mentioned 'plate members; columns com rising symmet rical parts .detachably secure vto said spring members; bumper bars carried in parallel and spaced lrel-ation by said columns; semielliptical spring members carried by saidcolumns; and shock dcadening means interposed between said. elliptical spring members and said second mentioned plates.

9. A structure of the class described in-v 'cluding oppositely disposed elliptical spring members positioned with their sides extending in ,a vertical plane. adjustable means af# fording attachment ,ofsaid members to the chassis of a vehicle, supports fixed' to the members opposite the attaching means, bars having inwardly turnedgen'd portions car vried by the supports' in parallel relation with respect to each other in a vertical plane, and shock absorbing members havingtheir end portions fixed to the-supports opposite the bars and having curved portions extending outwardly from the barstv 10. 1A structure of the class described in-V c'luding oppositelydisposed elliptical Spring 'members, adjustable means affording attachment of said members to the' chassis of a vehicle,'supports fixed to the members .ope lposite the attaching` means, bumper members carried by the supports and having' inwardly turned ends extendingbeyond' the outer side faces of the supports, and shock absorbing l members having their endportions fixed tov f tending the supports' and having curved portions ex- Y outwardly from the bumper members. K I l 1l. A structure of the class described-including oppositely disposed elliptical spring members having their sides-extending'in a, vertical plane, supports comprisingsectional parts carried by the spring members, bumper r members carried bythe supports and having inwardly turned ends extending beyond-the outer side surfacesI of the supports, and

shock absorbingmeinbers having end por- A l fixed to th :interes tions fixed to the supports and having central curved portions extending 4outwardly `from the bumper members.

l2. A. structure of the class described .in- I cluding oppositely disposed elliptical spring members having 4their' sides extending in a vertical plane, supports comprising sectional parts carried by the spring members, bum-l per members carried kby the supports and.

having inwardly turned ends extending be, y yond the outer side surfaces of the supports,

tional parts carriedby said supports, hollow members carried. by the columns 'and having" inwardly bent lportions. extending beyond the outer sides'thereof, and membersor` resilient material having their endportions e columns and hav'i'g outwardly extendingcurved portions.-

14, A struture ofthe' class columns including sed-l 'described including .supports having- IneansofA attach#v l ment, to a' vehicle,l columns Acomprising sec# tional parts carried bythe supports opposite the attaching means,fb umper members car- 'ried by the columns in 4spaced relation with .respect to eachother in a vertical plane and having end portions curved inwardly :toward the vehicle, and shock absorbing members carried by the columns opposite the' bumper members. and having portions ex-A tending outwardly therefrom.

In testimony whereof l have signed vmy i name to vthis Specification in the presence of two subscribmg Witnesses.'

Witnesses: l CLARENCE E. THREEDY, JosnnA'R. liPoTrs.

JAMES A. NoMIcos 

